Car-coupling



2 Sheets-Sheet l. W. WARD.

UAR COUPLING.

(No Model.)

Patent-6 d June 13, 1882,.

WITNESSES No Model.)

2 Sheets-Sheet 2.

W. WARD.

GAR COUPLING.

Patented June 13, 1882.

NITED TATES WILLIAM WARD, OF ZANESVILLE, OHIO.

CAR-COUPLING.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 259,611, dated June 13, 1882.

Application filed February 24, 1882.

To all whom it may concera Be it known that I, WILLIAM WARD, of Zanesville, Ohio, have invented a new and useful Improvement in Railroad-Car Couplings, of which the following is a full, clear, and exact description, reference being had to the accompanying drawings, makingpart of this specification, in which- Figure 1 represents a perspective view of a car-coupler with my improvements attached. Fig. 2 is a vertical section of the same. Fig. 3 is a detached view of one of the sections. Fig. 4 is a plan view of the same with the top plate removed. Fig. 5 is the same view with the coupling-link in position.

The object of my invention is to furnish a safe and reliable self-coupler; and it consists in the combination and arrangement of devices hereinafter described and claimed.

In the drawings, A represents a rectangular buffer-head, provided with one or more pivoted sections, B. The pivots or journals 0 of these sections have their hearings in the sides of the buffer-head arranged vertically, and each journal is provided with a rigid arm, D, loosely pivoted to the vertical bar E, for the purpose hereinafter described.

The section B has a V-shaped bottom, through the lower angle of which passes the journal C. On the upper fiat surface of this bottom are secured the flat springs '0, hearing at their rear ends against the springs c, as

shown in Fig. 4. The springs 0 are formed as shown in this figure, and are secured on and held in position by the pins D. By this construction the forward ends of the springs 0 are kept open by the pressure of the springs 1) upon the rear end of the springs 0, such bein g the normal position of the springs.

When the link F is forced into the sections by the cars comiu g in contact the pressure of the link upon the rear end of the springs 0 will force them back and cause the forward end of the springs to close upon the link and hold it steadily in position so long as the link is in the coupler.

When the springs are in their normal position it is evident that when the link passes into position and forces the springs back it (No model.)

clears the hole and allows the pin to drop, catching the link for coupling, as the springs will permit the link to pass its own thickness beyond the pin-hole.

When the pin is withdrawn and the link is released for uncoupling the cars the springs c assume their normal position, spreading again in front, ready to guide the link into position for the next coupling of the car.

As the portion of the sections B forward of the journal is heavier than the portion in the rear of it, it is evident that the forward portion will slightly drop, which will carry the pin-holder out of the line'of the pin and prevent it from descending; but when the bottoms a of the sections are brought to a level the pin-holes are all in a line and the pin drops without hindrance. a

The movement of the sections from and to the horizontal position is controlled by the lever arms I), attached to the vertical bar E, by which means the sections are all operated simultaneously.

The bar E is operated by means of the chain G, attached at its upper end to the top of the pin d, the chain being of sufficient length to allow the pin to be withdrawn from the several sections, but not long enough to allow it to be withdrawn from the buffer-head and become misplaced. In the mouths of the sections which are slightly dropped, as shown in Fig. 2, it is evident that the pin-holes are out of line with the pin, when, by raising the bar E, the holes are thrown into line and the bar falls of its own weight, thus automatically coupling the cars.

Having thus described my invention, what I claim as my invention, and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is-

In a car-coupler, the journaled sections B, having V-shaped bottoms, and provided with the springs B and G, in combination with the lever-arms D, vertical bar E, chain G, and pin I, all constructed to operate substantially as and for the purpose set forth.

WILLIAM WARD.

Witnesses:

WILLIE HATION, MARY HATTON. 

